Continuous cigarette rod cutoff

ABSTRACT

A BLADE FOR CUTTING A CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD INTO PREDETERMINED LENGTHS IS COUPLED TO A LINK INTERPOSED BETWEEN TWO CRANK MEMBERS. EACH CRANK MEMBER ROTATES ABOUT ITS OWN SHAFT, THE TWO SHAFTS BEING PARALLEL AND OFFSET RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AND PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD.

Sept. 20, 1971 G. GIANEsE CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUTOFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1969 ATTORNEY Sept. 20, 1971 G. GIANEsE 3,605,833

CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUTOFF Filed Sept. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'I'OR. GFFREDO G/A N656 Sept 20 1971 G. GIANEsE 3,605,838

CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUTOFF Filed Sept. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 60FFRE00 G/A/VESE Sept. 20, 1971 G. GIANESE CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUTOFF Filed Sept. 29, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mwa/vrou. 60FFREDO /ANESE Sept. 20, 1971 Filed sept. 29, 1969 G. GIANEsE 3,605,838

CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUTOFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVIcN'l'oR. GOFFREDO 6MM-'5E ATTORNEY United States Patent O CONTINUOUS CIGARETTE ROD CUT OFF Goffredo Gianese, Bologna, Italy, assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company Filed Sept. 29, 1969, Ser. No. 861,859

Claims priority, application Italy, Oct. 2, 1968,

7,373/ 68 Int. Cl. B26d 3/16 U.S. Cl. 146-101 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A blade for cutting a continuous cigarette rod into predetermined lengths is coupled to a link interposed between two crank members. Each crank member rotates about its own shaft, the two shafts being parallel and offset relative to each other, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the continuous cigarette rod.

This invention relates to a cutoff particularly suitable for cutting the continuous tobacco rod in cigarette making machines.

The device according to the invention is substantially characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one blade fitted to the drag link of two cranks of equal length, parallel to each other and rotating about two respective shafts which are parallel and offset between each other, while the axis of the rod to be cut is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the axes of rotation of the two cranks.

In this device, during the rotation of the pair of cranks, the respective drag link remains always parallel to itself whereby also the blade fitted to said drag link remains parallel to itself, maintaining unchanged its orientation in relation to the rod axis.

According to a further feature of the invention, the blade is fitted to the drag link of the two cranks in such a manner as to be parallel to the axis of the rod to be cut, while the axes of rotation of the two coupled cranks are so inclined in relation to the axis of the rod as to obtain a perfectly perpendicular cut of the rod vwithout its being stressed in the longitudinal direction.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the two cranks coupled to each other by the blade holding drag link rotate in two parallel and interspaced planes and are preferably fastened to the facing ends of two respective parallel and offset shafts while the drag link is located in the interspace between said two cranks. In addition to allowing the construction of a compact and small cutoff, this feature also allows to achieve a cutoff of the above type equipped with two or more angularly equidistant blades which cut successively in turn the cigarette rod. In fact, according to a further feature of the invention, the facing ends of the two parallel and offset shafts can be interconnected through a plurality of equal and angularly interspaced pairs of cranks, with a corresponding number of drag links, parallel to each other and each carrying a blade. This realization, that is, the possibility of fitting a plurality of blades which act one after the other on the rod, enables to effect a very high number of cuts in the unit of time, maintaining relatively low the revolving speed of the assembly of pairs of cranks.

In a preferred embodiment, particularly suitable for the multi-blade realization, the cutoff according to the invention can consist of two parallel and interspaced disks which rotate around two respective parallel and offset shafts and are each provided on their facing sides and on the same diameter, with one or more angularly equidistant crankpins. The crankpin(s) of one of these disks are connected with the corresponding crankpin (s) of the other Patented Sept. 20, 1971 ICC disk by parallel drag links which carry each a blade and are interposed between the disks.

The invention relates also to a particular pneumatic or hydraulic device for feeding the blade(s) of the above cutoff during its operation to compensate the wear of the blades resulting from their continuous sharpening.

These and other features of the invention and the resulting advantages will be understood from the followf ing description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated as a non-restrictive example in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation of a cuto according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same device;

FIG. 3 is a section of the cutoff taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 illustrates in a large scale a blade carrier of the device according to FIGS. 1 to 3, partially sectional in order to show the blade feeding device;

FIG. 5 is a section of theb lade carrier taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

With reference to the figures, numeral 1 (FIG. 3) indicates the longitudinal axis of continuous rod 2 (FIG. 1) which is formed in an automatic cigarette maker and which must be cut at pre-set intervals into single sections or cigarettes. Said rod 2 slides uniformly at high speed and is guided on a substantially horizontal path by any appropriate means 5 which do not form part of this invention and are, therefore, indicated schematically only in FIG. l.

The cutoff for cutting rod 2 comprises, according to the invention, two parallel and offset shafts 3 and 4, positioned in a substantially vertical plane with the facing ends interspaced between each other. Shafts 3 and 4 are mounted revolvingly in respective supports 6 which are fastened by means of arms 7 to a disk 8 which is in turn mounted on a frame 9 in such a manner as to be rotated and adjusted angularly around a central pin 10, substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the plane defined by the axes of the two shafts 3 nd 4. By so doing, the assembly of two parallel and offset shafts 3 and 4 can be inclined, in the plane defined by the axes of said shafts, in relation to axis 1 of rod 2 which is parallel to said plane, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Disk 8 and its central pin 10 can be rotated and locked in relation to frame 9 through suitable means, schematically indicated with numeral 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Two parallel and interspaced disks are fastened to the facing ends of offset shafts 3 and 4. On their facing sides both disks 13, 14 present each a ring of projecting pins 113 and 114 respectively parallel to shafts 3 and 4 and angularly equidistant from the center of respective disk 13, 14, that is, from the geometrical axis of respective shafts 3 and 4. The two rings of pins 113, 114 on thev facing sides 13, 14 present, therefore, the sa-me diameter and are each coaxial to respective shafts 3, 4 whereby they are offset between each other in a manner corresponding to the offsetting of shafts 3, 4. The diameter of the rings of pins 113, 114 and consequently of disks 13, 14 is considerably greater than the center distance between shafts 3, 4, the offsetting of `which is generally modest, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Pins 113, 114 of the two disks 13, 14 constitute an equal number of crankpins and each pin 113 of disk 13 is hinged to a corresponding pin 114 of the other disk 14 by means of a drag link 12 which is interposed between the two disks 13, 14. Drag links 12 are parallel to one another and each of them connects to one another two pins 113, 114, the center distance of which is equal to the offsetting of the two shafts 3, 4, that is, to the mismatching of the two disks 13, 14. Thus, the two parallel shafts 3, 4 are interconnected through a drive consisting of multiple pairs of front and facing cranks 113, 114 of equal length and angularly interspaced, with respective drag links 12 whereby any one of the two shafts 3, 4 can transmit its rotation to the other, without altering the directions of rotation.

One of the two shafts 3, 4, for example shaft 4, is positively actuated in any suitable manner, indicated schematically by gear 15, and, consequently, drives the other shaft 3 in the same direction of rotation and at the same s eed.

pDuring this rotation of the two shatfs 3, 4, drag links 12 of the pairs of cranks 113, 114 move between the -two disks 13, 14, remaining always parallel to themselves. The number of pairs of cranks 113, 114 is chosen in relation to their angular-ly equidistant arrangement so that at any moment of the rotation of shafts 3, 4 there is at least one pair of coupled cranks 113, 114 not in a dead center position, that is, with the respective drag link 12 out of the plane defined by the axes of shafts 3 and 4.

A blade 16 is fitted to each drag link 12. During the rotation of shafts 3, 4 said blade is consequently always parallel to itself and maintains its orientation in relation to rod 2 to be cut. Each blade 16 is applied to the respective blade holding drag link 12 in such a manner that it protrudes peripherally from disks 14, 15 in the area of rod 2 and passes with its cutting edge through the rod, cutting it, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Ihe inclination of blades 16 in relation to axis 1 of the rod can be changed and adjusted with any suitable means. Preferably, however, blades 16 are fastened to the respective drag links 12 with such an orientation as to be perpendicular to axis 1 of rod 2, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. As a consequence of the inclination of shafts 3, 4 in relation to axis 1 of rod 2, each blade 16 has a speed component both in the perpendicular and horizontal direction in relation to rod 2. The inclination of shafts 3, 4 in relation to axis 1 of rod 2 is adjusted according to the rod sliding speed so that -the speed component of blade 16 in the longitudinal direction of rod 2 is equal to the linear rod speed. This longitudinal component and the perpendicularity of blades 16 in relation to axis 1 of rod 2, perpendicularity Which is maintained during the complete cutting action, enable to obtain a cut which is perfectly perpendicular to rod 2, thus avoiding any stress of the rod in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, by virtue of the multiple blade arrangement, a very high number of cuts can be made in the unit of time with a relatively low revolving speed of the two offset shafts 3, 4 and of the respective disks 13, 14. The cutoi acocrding to the invention is consequently highly efiicient and particularly suitable for high speed cigarette makers.

While the cutoff is running, blades 16 are sharpened in a known manner which will, therefore, not be illustrated. Consequently, blades 16 must be fed forward to compensate their wear resulting from sharpening. For this purpose, the invention provides a pneumatic or hydraulic device for feeding blades 16, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. With reference to these figures, each blade 16 is clamped in a known manner, at the end 17 of a screw 18 which extends in the longitudinal or feeding direction of blade 16 and is screwed by means of a corresponding nut screw 19 which is housed free to rotate but not to slide in the respective blade holding drag link 12 (FIG. 4). The blade clamping end 17 of screw 18 is guided free to slide but not rotate (due to the effect of blade 16) in a front extension 20 of drag link 12. The rear end of screw 18 protrudes from the blade holding drag link 12 and is provided with a manual operation knob 118.

A sleev 21 is mounted free to rotate on screw 18. This sleeve is integral with pinion 22 and is provided with a widened cylindrical extension 121 which embraces partially nut screw 19 and is coupled to said nut screw by means of a free wheel device 23. This device is so achieved as to cause sleeve 21 (and consequently pinion 22) to be coupled with nut screw 19 in this direction of rotation of the latter which determines the displacement of screw 18 in the feeding direction of blade 16. Rotation of nut screw 19 in the opposite direction is prevented by a free 4 wheel one-way unit 24, interposed between nut screw 19 and its housing 112 in the blade holding drag link 12.

Pinion 22 of sleeve 21 meshes with a rack 25 machined in stern 26 of a simple effect plunger 27 which is mounted free to slide in sealed condition in a cylinder 28 provided in the blade holding drag link 12 (HG. 5). Plunger 27 is pushed backward in its rest position illustrated in FIG. 5, by a counter spring 128. Said plunger can be pushed forward due to the action of the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure generated in cylinder 28. For this last purpose, cylinder 28 is connected by means of duct 29 and chamber 30, and by means of an axial duct 31, machined in the crankpin 113, and another duct 32, machined in the respective disk 13, to an axial duct 33 provided in shaft 3 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The axial duct 33 of shaft 3 is connected, in turn, by means of a rotary coupling 34 and a fixed piping 3S, to any suitable distributor (not illustrated) which enables cylinder 28 to be connected alternatively with a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure source or with a compressed air bleed, respectively with a return duct or liquid tank.

in these conditions, at each pneumatic or hydraulic pressure pulse set to cyclinder 28, plunger 27 is moved against the action of counter spring 128, and in its go stroke it causes nut screw 19 to rotate by means of cornbined rack 25 and pinion 22, as well as by means of sleeve 21, 121 and free wheel device 23 in order to move in the axial direction the non-rotating screw 18 and consequently cause a one-step feed of Iblade 16. Then, when the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure on plunger 27 stops, that is, when cylinder 28 is connected to the bleed or to the return duct, spring 128 moves plunger 27 back to its starting position. During this return stroke of plunger 27 and of respective rack 25, pinion 22 and sleeve 21 rotate in a direction opposite to the previous one, but nut screw 18 remains stationary, because it is prevented from rotating by free wheel one-way unit 24, while free wheel device 23 rotates idle. Blade 16 is thus fed by steps, every time a pressure pulse is sent to cylinder 28. Prior to assembling a new blade 16, screw 18 is brought back manually by means of knob 118. Obviously, the feeding devices of all blades 16 are achieved in the same manner as above and are actuated at the same time, through the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure distributor whereby all blades 16 advance simultaneously.

VIt is also evident that when the pressure distributor for cylinders 18, is operated through any automatic suitable device, for instance, a feed timer or pulse generator, the blade feed can be made completely automatic.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment which has been described and illustrated, but could be changed and modified, mainly from a constructive point of view, and be applied to other fields of the technique, for instance, for cutting any articles other than the cigarette rod. Furthermore, the system connecting the two parallel shafts 3, 4 by means of a plurality of front cranks and respective drag links can be used also as a simple drive system that is, only for coupling the two offset shafts rotating in the same direction; in particular, when the offsetting of the parallel shafts is relatively small. All this without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cutoff for cutting a continuous cigarette rod transverse to its longitudinal axis of movement comprising, a rst crank member, a rst shaft positioned parallel to one side of said longitudinal axis of movement and coupled to drive said first crank member, a second crank member having a length substantially equal to the length of said first crank, a second shaft positioned paralled to and offset from said first shaft and positioned to the other side of said longitudinal axis of movement coupled to drive said second crank member, a drag link interposed between said iirst and second crank members, and a blade coupled to said drag link to cut through a continuous cigarette rod.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means to vary the angle of the longitudinal axis of the first and second shafts relative to the longitudinal axis of the continuous cigarette rod.

3. The combination of claim 2 including means to vary the angle of the blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the continuous cigarette rod.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the blade is positioned to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the continuous cigarette rod and the longitudinal axis of the iirst and second shafts are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the continuous cigarette rod, said angle being dependent upon the rate of advance of the continuous cigarette rod required to obtain a perpendicular cut of the continuous cigarette rod.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said rst crank member comprises a rst disk, and said second crank member comprises a second disk.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first and second disks being driven in the same direction through said drag link.

7. The combination of claim 6 including drive means coupled to rotatably drive said rst shaft, said second 6 shalf being driven in the same direction through said drag link.

8. The combination of claim 4 including blade advancing means coupled to advance the blade in steps to compensate for wear resulting from sharpening of the blade.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said blade advancing means comprises a threaded shaft to advance the blade slidably coupled to the drag link, a nut in engagement with said threaded shaft rotatably coupled to the drag link, and selectively controlled means to rotate said nut through a determinable angular displacement to advance said threaded shaft.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said selectively controlled means comprises a fluid pressure actuated member.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,882 10/1957 Germany 83-327 WILLIE G. ABERCROMBIE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 83-327 

